Speaking after chairing another Scottish Government Resilience Operation (SGoRR) meeting, Mr Wheelhouse said: “Across the country, in locations affected by flooding such as Arbroath, Brechin, Stonehaven, and in the Northern Isles which have been affected by severe winds, determined work has been happening at local level to support members of the public at what has been a testing time.

With the ground already saturated, there are concerns for areas already suffering form flooding

Met Office forecaster Fraser Ralston

“In Stonehaven, for example, we know that up to 100 properties were vacated as a result of the flooding, with a rest centre set up at Mackie Academy to keep the victims safe and warm.”

Met Office forecaster Fraser Ralston said: “We’re looking at very disrupted weather for the rest of the week, with another band of heavy rain coming in on Boxing Day night and into Thursday.

“With the ground already saturated, there are concerns for areas already suffering form flooding.

“Every day will throw something different at us, from heavy rain from Boxing Day night and gale force winds on Thursday.

“There is currently no sign of a good dry period.”

In England, dozens of rail routes have been affected by heavy rain in recent days, and flooding has been so bad in the South-west that First Great Western is advising passengers with non-essential journeys not to travel on trains or replacement buses in the area at all.